JAKARTA, 15 May 2026 – The 10th Forum of Entities Associated with ASEAN concluded on 13 May at the ASEAN Secretariat/ASEAN Headquarters.
The Forum commemorated a decade of collaboration among ASEAN Entities and Centres in advancing regional integration and community-building. Guided by the Philippines’ Chairship theme, “Navigating Our Future, Together,” the Forum reaffirmed ASEAN’s commitment to unity, resilience, and ASEAN Centrality amid growing global challenges. Participants highlighted the important role of ASEAN Entities in supporting the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, strengthening connectivity, inclusivity, sustainability, and regional cooperation, while also welcoming Timor-Leste’s accession as a historic milestone for the ASEAN family.
In his Opening Statement, Secretary-General of ASEAN, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn underscored the importance of collective action, stating that “ASEAN’s greatest strength lies in our unity, shared purpose, and our ability to transform diversity and challenges into opportunity and progress for all our peoples.” He also emphasised that “the true success of ASEAN is measured by whether our people across the region genuinely feel the benefits of this community in their daily lives.”
Following high-level discussions on Day 1, a key feature of the second and final day was the Project Proposal Workshop, co-organised by the Community Relations Division (CRD) and the Programme Cooperation and Project Management Division (PCPMD) of the ASEAN Secretariat, which equipped participants with practical skills to access and utilise ASEAN trust funds and cooperation funding mechanisms.
The 10th Forum of Entities was made possible with the generous support of the German Federal Government through the GIZ-ASEAN cooperation project, which has been a steadfast partner of the Forum since its inception. Germany’s decade-long contribution has been instrumental in strengthening the institutional capacity of ASEAN Centres and Entities and in fostering a platform for meaningful dialogue and cooperation.
German Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN, H.E. Ralf Beste, in his congratulatory remarks stated, “Going now into its 10th anniversary, the partnership between Germany and ASEAN is based on shared values and interests, ranging from climate action to maritime security and the growing trade between Germany, Europe and Southeast Asia. We are united by a commitment to multilateralism and rules-based order. The Entities Forum is a cornerstone of our cooperation with ASEAN. I am proud that Germany has been at the side of ASEAN in bringing together its Centres and Agencies in their efforts to achieve ASEAN Vision 2045.”
This year’s Forum coincides with the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN-Germany Development Partnership. To commemorate this milestone, the “Growing Together” exhibition is currently on display at the ASEAN Headquarters/ ASEAN Secretariat until 25 May 2026, highlighting the milestones and shared achievements of the ASEAN-Germany partnership.
The two-day Forum brought together over 400 participants from 70 ASEAN Entities and Centres, including representatives from the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN, reflecting ASEAN’s commitment to an inclusive and people-centred community. It also marked the first-ever Forum with public participation through activities co-hosted by ASEAN Centres and Entities.
